Asiatic Boy was simply too good for his fifteen rivals in the feature Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Invasor. Ridden with a little more restraint than usual by Johnny Murtagh, the brilliant old boy came with a late surge to pick up Happy Boy as the first two home crushed the field.

Saeed Bin Suroor continued in great order at Nad Al Sheba with yet another training double. New recruit City Style left a very favourable impression with an easy success in the GNB Plate. As an unexposed son of American sire City Zip, the 3 yr old although not in the toughest of company could only win as he did and will now surely try a better grade next time.

Saeed doubled up in the very next contest with second string Gayego in the hands of Ted Durcan. Yet another new American acquisition for the Godolphin outfit, Gayego travelled well with the leaders along with the unbeaten Big City Man and stable mate Diabolical and Frankie Dettori quickened away in good style while the other pace horses capitulated.

Arguably not the strongest race on the card despite a big purse of £1,187,900 the Argentinean Bred Soy Libriano in the hands of Willie Supple did little wrong when beating Jose Adan by 2 L’s. Not certain to fulfil expectations he will be best watched.

Willie Supple ended the card with a win in the finale aboard the 7/1 shot Balius, in what was a messy sort of a race Balius got the cleanest of trips unlike some of his pursuers.

Committed from the get go by Johnny Murtagh the Mick De Kock trained Honour Devil ran an absolute screamer from the inside draw of one only to get picked inside the final hundred yards by the blinkered Snaafy as the front two pulled away from the pack.

Mick De Kock gained some compensation when Front House won the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold- Swain. Committed straightening up for home by Kevin Shea, the well thought of filly who needed to overcome a tough wide draw, dug deep to hold off the late charge of Group 1 penalised Quijano with King Of Rome close up.